CEHS News

National Teacher of the Year to speak at WVU on April 11, 2017

Jahana Hayes, the National Teacher of the Year will speak to the West Virginia University and Morgantown communities as part of an event hosted by the WVU College of Education and Human Services at the Erickson Alumni Center at 6:00 p.m. on April 11, 2017.

Hayes has been teaching for 12 years, most recently as a veteran history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Connecticut. She earned an Associate’s degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College, a Bachelor of Science from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of Arts from Saint Joseph University and a certification from the University of Bridgeport.

Hayes was the first in her family to graduate college and was inspired by her teachers to pursue higher education, despite a challenging upbringing. She believes that being a teacher is a privilege and an opportunity to transform lives and foster a sense of social responsibility in the next generation.

She sees herself as an advisor, counselor, confidant and protector of her students and endeavors to fill the role her own teachers had in her life, by guiding students to be their best selves and encouraging them to take ownership of their communities.

The National Teacher of the Year will be introduced at the event by the West Virginia State Teacher of the Year, Andrea Santos. Santos began her teaching career in Logan County 23 years ago after graduating with a BS in Education from West Virginia State University and receiving a multi-subject education degree for foreign languages from Lee University.

In 1995, Santos came to Logan High School as a Spanish teacher. During her time at LHS, she has also taught theatre and film appreciation and currently serves as the chair of the fine arts department. Her passion for education has been instrumental in several projects throughout the county.

Santos will spend the morning speaking with area high school students regarding her experience and the importance of the teaching profession.